The Resurrection of Kansas City’s Largest Pre-Prohibition Whiskey Brand
J. Rieger & Company Kansas City Whiskey
This is a fascinating piece of Kansas City history, having it in the original family is what’s important for the legacy of the brand.
Ryan Maybee is a James Beard Semifinalist for his tremendous bar program at Manifesto. When Ryan decided to leave his bartender role at Union Station in KC, he opened a restaurant across the street at the old Rieger Hotel. While looking for artifacts and pictures to decorate his space, he stumbled across the fact that it wasn’t just a hotel but J. Rieger & Co. was also one of the largest distilleries in the country back in the late 1880s.
Reborn 90yrs After The Original
The idea of relaunching the distillery became an obsession turned reality when family member, Andy Rieger came on as a partner after floating the idea around for over a year.
Ryan and crew knew they needed to release un-aged products to reach the market quickly, Midwestern Dry Gin and Cafeè Amaro Liqueur were both launched before any whiskey.
On this week’s Episode of The Neat Pour Podcast we focus on Rieger Kansas City Whiskey.
2017 Rieger Tasting at Longman & Eagle
KC Whiskey is a mingling of 4.5yr old bourbon, 5yr straight rye and 10yr light corn whiskey. Both the bourbon and the corn whiskey come from MGP. 100% of the rye from Alberta, Canada, same source as Whistle Pig.
The Kansas City Whiskey pays homage to history. From 1920 till Prohibition rectified whiskey was about 90% of the market. The team found a sales sheet from the original Rieger that called into question what was Rieger back in those days.
Of their 100+ products sold was an imported sherry. It turns out that the beverage alcohol manual for the TTB says sherry can used up 2% and it can still be called American Whiskey. The decision was made to go to Spain and source sherry from bodegas. Sherry is added to the tank and rectified at 2% of the final blend.
92 Proof, Rectified With 2% Spanish Sherry
The flavors in this whiskey cascade and balance each other perfectly. It’s a 92 proof whiskey meant to hold its own in cocktails. The sherry provides a nuttiness with dried fruits and hints of sweetness. A big part of building this brand Is how bartenders think about these spirits and how well they play in a bar setting. Retail starts around $30.
—The Neat Pour
Be sure to check out Episode 37 of The Neat Pour Podcast for our full thoughts as we pair Rieger Kansas City Whiskey with KC’s own Martin City Anniversary Stout.
Blended WithWilliams and Humbert 15 Yr Oloroso Sherry